Caroline Runyan, PhD, assistant professor of neuroscience, has received an NIH Director’s Award. Runyan’s work focuses on the brain’s ability to flexibly control perception and behavior in different situations. Specifically, Runyan images and manipulates cells and circuits to learn how the brain is able to shift gears quickly, as well as how it processes different types of sensory information depending on behavioral context.   Runyan's New Innovator Award is part of NIH's  High-Risk High-Reward Research Program. The award is given to  early stage investigators within 10 years of doctoral or postgraduate training who propose innovative, high-impact projects in the biomedical, behavioral or social sciences.